Ellsworth Mountains
The Ellsworth Mountains are the highest mountain range in Antarctica. They are located in the region of West Antarctica and stretch for about 360 kilometers (224 miles).
| Ellsworth Mountains | |
|---|---|
The central part of Ellsworth Mountains with Mount Tyree, Mount Shinn and Mount Vinson; Nimitz Glacier at once | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Vinson Massif |
| Elevation | 4,892 m (16,050 ft) |
| Coordinates | 78°31′31.74″S 85°37′01.73″W / 78.5254833°S 85.6171472°W |
| Geography | |
Location of Ellsworth Mountains in Antarctica | |
| Range coordinates | 78°45′S 85°00′W / 78.750°S 85.000°W |
Geography
The range is divided into two main parts: the Sentinel Range and the Heritage Range. The Sentinel Range is home to Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica[1][2] and one of the "Seven Summits" (the highest mountains on each of the seven continents). Mount Vinson is a popular destination for mountain climbers who want to climb the highest peak on every continent.
The Ellsworth Mountains are almost completely covered in snow and ice, with only a few rocky outcrops poking through. The range is a nunatak, which means it is a mountain peak that is not covered by the surrounding ice sheet.
Importance
The mountains are an important site for geological and paleontological research. Scientists have found fossils of ancient plants and animals in the rocks here, which helps them understand the history of Antarctica when it was a warmer place. The location of the mountains provides clues about the movement of the Earth's continents over millions of years.
- ↑ "Ellsworth Mountains". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2004-05-06.
- ↑ Bockheim, J.G., Schaefer, C.E., 2015. Soils of Ellsworth Land, the Ellsworth Mountains. In: Bockheim, J.G. (Ed.), The Soils of Antarctica. World Soils Book Series, Springer, Switzerland, pp. 169–181.